Flood-displaced family sees dream home burn

SHELLSBURG-- A fire that badly damaged a home at 2941 61st St Trail, in Shellsburg late Friday night somehow reignited  Saturday morning, the homeowner said.

The family of Randy Hanson, including his wife, daughter and mother were living in a mobile home next to the housebuilding project, designed to be 6-bedroom dream home. Progress on the project has been steady since the family was displaced as a result of the 2008 flood.

The first fire destroyed multiple areas of the home's roof, drywall and interior. The second fire  consumed much of the east-facing part of the home.

Hanson appeared weary as he sat in a pickup  to stay warm, watching dozens of firefighters work to diminish the smoke. By 12:20 p.m., Shellsburg, Urbana, Atkins and Center Point fire squads and emergency response crews had most of the smoke out, but they were still at the scene until after 2 p.m.

Hanson said the fire originally started in the attic, after embers from a wood-burning stove floated up and sparked flames near the roof, which was recently installed.

The flames reignited Saturday morning from the same location, Hanson said.

"I guess that's life," Hanson said.